Badoc, Ilocos Norte—The province of Ilocos Norte celebrated the first Pontifical Coronation Anniversary of its patron saint, La Virgen Milagrosa de Badoc on May 31, 2019.
As part of the celebration, a fluvial parade highlighted the last of the nine-day novena in honor of the provincial patroness. The images of La Milagrosa and Sto. Cristo Milagroso de Sinait were paraded in the waters of Badoc, reenacting the historic arrival of the Blessed Virgin in the province.
It showed how La Milagrosa came to be the provincial patroness: she is said to have arrived floating in a box together with the image of Cristo Milagroso between the shores of Brgy. Paguetpet in Badoc and Brgy. Dadalaquiten, Sinait, a bordering town of Ilocos Sur.
Hundreds of local spectators united and revered the blessed images while the fluvial procession sailed along the cove. The procession was followed by a novena mass officiated by Metropolitan Archbishop of Nueva Segovia, Most Rev. Marlo M. Peralta, at the Minor Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
“Over the past year, we have been blessed because we have recorded an increase in pilgrimage and tourists visiting the Minor Basilica of Badoc. This is our fervent wish in terms of tourism: that the faith in the Blessed Virgin will ultimately lead to more opportunities for the people of Ilocos Norte,” remarked Tourism Operations Officer, Mr. Xavier Ruiz.
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte popularized the devotion of Ilocanos to La Milagrosa through Provincial Ordinance No. 062-2012, declaring May 2 to 5 of every year as Provincial Fiesta of Ilocos Norte in honor of La Milagrosa.
Moreover, as part of the Fiesta, the month-long "La Virgen Milagrosa Joyful Symphony of Lights," a lights-and-music display at the Provincial Capitol, is a tribute to the patroness.
Last year, the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin was led by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, representing His Holiness Pope Francis. (Edison Justin Deus)